***********************************

Do it quickly, don’t look back … and move on

It wasn’t that we were ignorant or unaware of what was supposed to be done. Quite the contrary. We knew damn well what we were supposed to do but we just didn’t want to do it. Why not?

Why don’t we do what we know we should do?

That’s the eternal conundrum, isn’t it my friends? Why don’t we do what we know we must do? Libraries are brimming with wit and wisdom to get us to do it — and there’s a bottomless pit of experts, gurus and charlatans filling the self-help sections in bookstores to help us find salvation and explode into extraordinary success.

So, with all of this help available — do you seek it out? — Why do the same issues keep showing up like destructive blood cells traversing our circulatory system?

How many excuses … er, reasons … do we have?

As I was writing some of the recent retrospective columns, I thought I had about three main reasons why the issues I’ve written about over four years keep making the rounds to face us again and again. As I’ve thought about it, however, I’ve found more like a dozen reasons. Too many, really, because it gives us even more excuses — er, reasons — not to resolve the issues before us.

So, over the next several columns, because understanding this organic chemistry question may be the solution most critical to your success, we’ll tackle them.

Symptoms, Challenges … and Solutions

I’ve changed up the format to make sure we don’t dwell on the challenges without taking on the solutions. I’ve also offered some ideas about how to recognize the symptoms as well as how to strap on your warrior mojo to combat these sworn enemies of success. So, in no particular order …

CHALLENGE No. 1: Refusal to make the tough decisions

What are these tough decisions? They’re the ones where your gut knows the right answer but you resist because you know it will bring a lot of blowback. Maybe it’s the termination of a long-time employee or the closing of a facility, but it’s a decision that won’t go quietly into the night.

If delaying these tough decisions resulted in better outcomes, all the better — but the fascinating dynamic of this decision process is that delay or hesitation rarely changes the outcome; it only postpones it. Since the tough decision you don’t make is usually the right decision, it continues to nag at you until you eventually pull the ripcord when you’re convinced for the 15th time that it is the right decision. In the interim, however, you’ve actually created even more turmoil because you, and everyone around you, have had to deal with the ramifications of the wrong decision over these many months. How painful is that?

SYMPTOMS

When you feel that stirring in your gut, when you feel the bile begin to start crawling up your esophagus, that’s a pretty reliable sign something’s amiss. Likewise, when you realize that you’re mired in the world of “paralysis by analysis,” endlessly seeking some fact pattern that will support your unpopular decision, you can be pretty sure you’re postponing the inevitable.

When you stare into the mirror and see “wishful thinking” etched into its foggy surface, you’re there.

SOLUTION

When you know you’re right, whether in your gut or with every fact you can muster, pull the trigger. Do what you know is right. There will always be unwelcome fallout, but that happens just as often when a decision is unanimous. Do it quickly, don’t look back and move on to the next problem.

I know, we’ve spilt some ink on this one — yes, again — but it’s the nucleus of the gamesmanship we play that corrupts our personal productivity, straps an anvil onto the limbs of organizational momentum — and consumes that most precious commodity, time — which is really not a commodity at all — that we could otherwise spend on the next set of decisions that await, like eager novitiates, to invade our headspace.

Get past this one so you can move on to the next one — just like we’ll do next time.

Connect with Me

Testimonials

Lary was an important component in helping us raise our first (over-subscibed) fund at Harbour Group. His doggedness, professionalism, and friendly demeanor helped open doors for what, at the time, was an untested and reasonably new concept. He was a pleasure to work with and remains a friend to this day.
~ Ralph Lobdell, Chairman, Tripos, Inc.

Lary has a remarkable ability to provide a clear and thoughtful analysis of the business drivers and potential outcomes facing private companies at each stage of development. His insight has provided a powerful framework for decision-making in many challenging situations. ~ Noah J. Rosenkrantz, CEO

In my former position as a tax partner at KPMG, LLP, I worked closely with Lary on the tax aspects of the plethora of business issues that arise in the life cycle of a start up company. It was unusual to see a senior finance person demonstrate a seasoned business acumen in identifying issues and opportunities, grasping the technical issues, resolving obstacles and implementing change. ~ Jeffrey Bergmann, V.P. Worldwide Tax

I've known and worked with Lary for more than 15 years as a business partner, consulting colleague and adviser and have found that Lary's financial skills and creativity result in high quality results for his clients. I am certain that Lary's strong work ethic, client focus and successful track record bode well for future clients just as they have formed the foundation of a long-term and highly valued relationship for me. ~ Kevin J. Sharps, Director, Financial Services Consulting practice

Lary began advising our company when we were going through some difficult challenges, and now, two years later, we are in a completely different and significantly better place. His advice was specific, direct, and not always what we wanted to hear, and that was invaluable. Lary has been quick to cut through to the heart of an issue. His coaching, prodding, and tough questioning helped us to make changes that truly and measurably have helped both our top and bottom lines. ~ Paul Levitan, CEO

Not only do you get honesty and integrity from Lary but you also get creativity, maturity and deep business acumen. Lary is the diamond in the rough for middle market companies in need of corporate advisory services and transaction services. ~ Kelly O. Kay, Partner, Center for Corporate Innovation

Within a three year period I had two different startups and one acquisition to deal with. Lary's involvement in the projects allowed me to raise substantial amounts of capital on all occasions. He makes even the most monumental task seem effortless. His tireless attention and focus on the project gets things done, done right, and under deadline. ~ Don Meahan, owner and operator of Alaska’s Naknek Anglers, LLC

Lary is one of the brightest and most energetic professionals with whom I have ever worked. His skills in dealing with privately held firms and the aggressive and creative solutions made him a valuable asset to any business. ~ F. Bart Smith, President (retired)

Lary brings to the table a wealth of real world wisdom and experience that is grounded in an impressive array of C-level and other executive leadership and operational management roles. Over the years I have found Lary's advise and counsel to be invaluable, I think in part because of his dedication and commitment to being of true value to his clients and colleagues. Lary has a well-honed ability to ask the right (and often difficult!) questions, to shed light on the most challenging aspects of your business, to share best practices and to guide you to valuable solutions to consider. I recommend Lary without hesitation. If you are a CEO or senior level executive, working with Lary will no doubt prove to be one of the smartest decisions you will make during your career.~ David Newlin, Managing Partner

We have a great management team that has built a very successful company. At an important crossroads, we needed more expertise on an expanded list of financial issues than we could provide ourselves. Lary brought that expertise, providing the depth of knowledge and experience that helped us develop and implement a practical solution.
~ Gary Imm, CEO (retired)

Ready to mix it up a little?

If you're a fan of the Mystery-Thriller-Suspense genre, you can enjoy a little diversion and dive into some of the great reads you'll find here. I intend to stimulate your discovery of the good, the bad and the only genre where a ranch breakfast is a steel metal jacket dipped in cordite. Have fun!

Connect with me

About Me

I am a leadership coach and a professional author and speaker, facilitating leadership groups among CEOs and senior business leaders in the SF Bay area.

I am the author or more than 125+ newspaper columns published by the SF Bay affiliate of the NY Times among the 500+ articles here. I have also written 3 ebooks about Leadership & Business Finance.

I have been married forever to a beautiful woman and have one spectacular daughter who has dedicated her life to helping children with life-threatening illnesses.
Read more ….

Why Learn It All the Hard Way?

Additional E-Books

Ready to mix it up a little?

If you're a fan of the Mystery-Thriller-Suspense genre, you can enjoy a little diversion and dive into some of the great reads you'll find here. I intend to stimulate your discovery of the good, the bad and the only genre where a ranch breakfast is a steel metal jacket dipped in cordite. Have fun!